Collection Summary: The papers of New York City and Paris art historian, educator, and gallerist Colette Roberts measure 10.2 linear feet and date from 1918 to 1971. Papers include correspondence, writings, teaching records, project proposals, gallery records from Grand Central Moderns Gallery, clippings, Roberts' printed articles, press releases, exhibition catalogs, posters, photographs, and a few works of art on paper. Also found are 124 interviews with contemporary artists conducted by Roberts.

Biographical/Historical Note: Colette Roberts (1910-1971) was an art critic and former director of the Grand Central Moderns Gallery, New York, N.Y.

The sound recordings and transcripts of interviews with artists, were donated by Colette Roberts in 1970. The remaining papers were donated by her son, Richard B. Roberts, in 1973.

How to Use this Collection

All of the sound recordings in this collection were digitized for research access in 2009-2010 and are available at the Archives of American Art offices. Researchers may view the original sound tape reels for the archival notations on them, but original reels are not available for playback due to fragility.
Bauermeister, Duchamp (spring 1963 interview only), Gottlieb (1964 interview only), Hultberg, Lam (Apr-May 1968 only), Lindner (1965 only), and Nevelson (1968 only): are transcribed.

Use of original papers requires an appointment and is limited to the Archives' Washington, D.C., Research Center. Contact Reference Services for more information.

For more information on using the Archives’ resources, see the FAQ or Ask Us.

Related Materials

A copy of a 1967 oral history with Adolf Gottlieb conducted by Dorothy Seckler for the Archives of American Art oral history program, which was found in Roberts' papers, has been returned to the Archives' oral history collection.
Additional papers and recordings of Colette Roberts are held by Syracuse University Library Special Collections Research Center.